Manitoba Beef Producers 39th Annual General Meeting one week away

The future of the provincial beef industry will be the focus at the 39th Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) Annual General Meeting Feb. 8-9 at the Victoria Inn in Brandon.

With the theme of Building Our Future, the AGM will centre on helping producers improve and expand their operations.

“As an association we are continuing to look at ways to push our provincial industry forward,” said MBP President Ben Fox. “The goal of growing the herd in Manitoba remains at the forefront and we are focused on creating an environment in which our members have the confidence to expand their operations.

“The speakers and panel discussions we have scheduled for the AGM will provide attendees with information and ideas they can apply directly to their operations.”

The Industry Knowledge Session on Feb. 8 will look at expanding markets for Canadian beef and dealing with change in the industry. Fred Gorrell, the Assistant Deputy Minister, Markets and Industry Services Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will speak about market access while Marty Seymour with Farm Credit Canada will talk about disruption and agriculture.

After a positive response last year, General Manager Brian Lemon says MBP will again have a youth forum focused on the opportunities for younger and new producers and will challenge participants to look at the world differently than past generations. The theme for this year’s forum is Challenging the Capital Paradigm with Peter Manness of MNP.

The business portion of the meeting will be held on the afternoon of Day 1. Along with an update on MBP’s activities over the past year and look at the financial report, members will vote on over 20 resolutions brought forward at the fall district meetings. Rick Wright of the Manitoba Livestock Marketing Association will provide an update on movement reporting while Virgil Lowe, the Business Manager of Verified Beef Production Plus will update attendees on that program. An update on Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives will be given by Don Guilford, MBFI’s Management Committee Chair.

Capping off Day 1 of the AGM is the annual President’s Banquet. Along with the presentation of The Environmental Stewardship Award and recognition of five retiring directors, Keynote Speaker Robert Sopuck, the Member of Parliament for Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa will talk about his recently released video Eating Canadian Beef is good for the Environment which discusses the incredible environmental benefits our industry provides.

Day two of the AGM will be highlighted by the panel discussion Adding Value Without Acres. Dr. Derek Brewin of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences will facilitate the discussion which will include presentations from Dr. John Crowley of the University of Alberta, Dr. Bart Lardner, with the Western Beef Development Centre and Mark Klassen, Director of Technical Services, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

“As we all know, one of the biggest issues many producers face is a lack of land, or the inability to purchase additional land,” Lemon said. “This discussion will provide producers with information on how to maximize what resources they have. We are excited for this discussion and feel there will be some worthwhile information for our members.”

Officials from CanFax, Canada Beef and the National Cattle Feeders Association will also provide reports on Feb. 9.

Fox said he encourages all members to attend the meeting and have a say in the future of their association.

“The AGM is where policy is discussed and our direction gets set,” he said. “It is a chance to shape the priorities of MBP and for our sector. It is also an opportunity to get together and share time with fellow producers. This year we are also retiring four directors who have given six years to the organization and who have volunteered their time and contributed to our sector.”

For more information on the agenda and registration please go to mbbeef.ca/annual-meeting/.

Note: The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association Annual General Meeting will be Feb. 9 from 7 to 8 a.m. in the main meeting room. Also, a Verified Beef Production Plus workshop will run directly following the end of MBP’s AGM.